Methods and systems for on demand fuel supply

Abstract

Apparatus for delivering fluid to a fluid consuming asset having a fluid tank includes a tank operable to contain the fluid and a fluid delivery coupling fluidically coupling the tank to a manifold. A pressure relief valve is fluidically coupled to the manifold, disposed between the manifold and the tank, and coupled to the tank through a recirculation inlet. The pressure relief valve is set at a predetermined pressure threshold and opens when the back-pressure in the manifold exceeds that threshold. The fluid is directed to the tank through the recirculation inlet when the pressure relief valve opens. A fluid transporting mechanism is fluidically coupled to the manifold at a first distal end and a fill cap at a second distal end. The fill cap is coupled to an opening of the fluid tank and fluid can flow from the manifold to the fluid tank through the fluid transporting mechanism.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for delivering a fluid to a fluid consuming asset having a first tank comprising:
 a second tank operable to contain the fluid; 
 a manifold fluidically coupled to the second tank through a fluid delivery coupling; 
 a first pressure relief valve fluidically coupled to the fluid delivery coupling,
 wherein the first pressure relief valve is disposed between the second tank and the manifold, 
 wherein the first pressure relief valve is set at a first predetermined pressure threshold, 
 wherein the first pressure relief valve opens when back-pressure in the fluid delivery coupling exceeds the first predetermined pressure threshold, and 
 wherein the fluid is directed back to the second tank through a first re-circulation inlet when the first pressure relief valve opens; 
 
 a second pressure relief valve fluidically coupled to the manifold,
 wherein the second pressure relief valve is disposed between the manifold and the second tank, 
 wherein the second pressure relief valve is coupled to the second tank through a second re-circulation inlet, 
 wherein the second pressure relief valve is set at a second predetermined pressure threshold, 
 wherein the second pressure relief valve opens when back-pressure in the manifold exceeds the second predetermined pressure threshold, wherein the second predetermined pressure threshold is different from the first predetermined pressure threshold, and 
 wherein the fluid is directed back to the second tank through the second re-circulation inlet when the second pressure relief valve opens; and 
 
 a hose having a first distal end fluidically coupled to the manifold and a second distal end fluidically coupled to a hydraulic connector of a fill cap;
 wherein the fill cap is coupled to an opening of the first tank of the fluid consuming asset; and 
 wherein the hose is operable to direct the fluid from the manifold to the first tank of the fluid consuming asset. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a probe and a hydraulic connector, wherein:
 the probe is operable to direct the fluid from the hose into the second tank through an outlet of the probe; and 
 the hydraulic connector is fluidically coupled to a probe and is configured to direct fluid from the hose into the probe. 
 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a valve coupled to the outlet of the probe; 
 a float coupled to the valve,
 wherein the valve is operable to open and close in response to movement of the float; and 
 wherein the valve is configured to be closed when the float moves to a position corresponding to a predetermined maximum level. 
 
 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a fill cap, wherein the fill cap is coupled to the probe and the hydraulic connector, and wherein the fill cap comprises a connection plate; 
 a first connecting member having an inner lip disposed within the second tank and an outer lip disposed outside the second tank, wherein the first connecting member is operable to be inserted through a first opening on the connection plate; 
 a second connecting member having an inner lip disposed within the second tank and an outer lip disposed outside the second tank, wherein the second connecting member is operable to be inserted through a second opening on the connection plate; 
 a first fastener operable to cause the inner lip of the first connecting member to contact a wall of the second tank; and 
 a second fastener operable to cause the inner lip of the second connecting member to contact the wall of the second tank. 
 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a spigot at an outlet of the manifold, wherein the spigot fluidically couples the outlet of the manifold to the hose. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the spigot is configured to direct the fluid into the hose. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the spigot further comprises a valve and wherein the valve is operable to regulate fluid flow through the spigot. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hose comprises a rubber hose, an aluminum pipe, or a steel pipe. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid is a fuel and the fluid consuming asset is a fuel consuming asset. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid delivery coupling further comprises a filter configured to filter fluid flowing through the fluid delivery coupling. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid delivery coupling further comprises a flowmeter operable to measure fluid flow to the manifold through the fluid delivery coupling. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a probe and a hydraulic connector, wherein:
 the probe is operable to direct the fluid from the hose into the second tank through an outlet of the probe; and 
 the hydraulic connector is fluidically coupled to a probe and is configured to direct fluid from the hose into the probe. 
 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a valve coupled to an outlet of the probe; 
 a float coupled to the valve,
 wherein the valve is operable to open and close in response to movement of the float; and 
 wherein the valve is configured to be closed when the float moves to a position corresponding to a predetermined maximum level. 
 
 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a fill cap, wherein the fill cap is coupled to the probe and the hydraulic connector, and wherein the fill cap comprises a connection plate; 
 a first connecting member having an inner lip disposed within the second tank and an outer lip disposed outside the second tank, wherein the first connecting member is operable to be inserted through a first opening on the connection plate; 
 a second connecting member having an inner lip disposed within the second tank and an outer lip disposed outside the second tank, wherein the second connecting member is operable to be inserted through a second opening on the connection plate; 
 a first fastener operable to cause the inner lip of the first connecting member to contact a wall of the second tank; and 
 a second fastener operable to cause the inner lip of the second connecting member to contact the wall of the second tank. 
 
     
     
       15. An apparatus for delivering a fluid to a fluid consuming asset having a first tank comprising:
 a second tank operable to contain the fluid; 
 a manifold fluidically coupled to the second tank; 
 a first pressure relief valve disposed between the second tank and the manifold, wherein:
 the first pressure relief valve is set at a first predetermined pressure threshold; 
 the first pressure relief valve opens when a back-pressure exceeds the first predetermined pressure threshold, and 
 the fluid is directed back to the second tank through a first re-circulation inlet when the first pressure relief valve opens; 
 
 a second pressure relief valve disposed between the manifold and the second tank, wherein:
 the second pressure relief valve is set at a second predetermined pressure threshold; 
 the second pressure relief valve opens when back-pressure in the manifold exceeds the second predetermined pressure threshold, wherein the second predetermined pressure threshold is different from the first predetermined pressure threshold; and 
 the fluid is directed back to the second tank through a second re-circulation inlet when the second pressure relief valve opens; and 
 
 a hose having a first end fluidically coupled to the manifold and a second end fluidically coupled to an opening of the first tank of the fluid consuming asset, wherein the hose is operable to direct the fluid from the manifold to the first tank of the fluid consuming asset. 
 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising a spigot at an outlet of the manifold, wherein the spigot fluidically couples the outlet of the manifold to the hose. 
     
     
       17. An apparatus for delivering a fluid to a fluid consuming asset having a first tank comprising:
 a second tank operable to contain the fluid; 
 a manifold fluidically coupled to the second tank through a fluid delivery coupling; 
 a first pressure relief valve fluidically coupled to the fluid delivery coupling,
 wherein the first pressure relief valve is disposed between the second tank and the manifold, 
 wherein the first pressure relief valve is set at a first predetermined pressure threshold, 
 wherein the first pressure relief valve opens when back-pressure in the fluid delivery coupling exceeds the first predetermined pressure threshold, and 
 wherein the fluid is directed back to the second tank through a first re-circulation inlet when the first pressure relief valve opens; 
 
 a second pressure relief valve fluidically coupled to the manifold,
 wherein the second pressure relief valve is disposed between the manifold and the second tank, 
 wherein the second pressure relief valve is coupled to the second tank through a second re-circulation inlet, 
 wherein the second pressure relief valve is set at a second predetermined pressure threshold, 
 wherein the second pressure relief valve opens when back-pressure in the manifold exceeds the second predetermined pressure threshold, wherein the second predetermined pressure threshold is different from the first predetermined pressure threshold, and 
 wherein the fluid is directed back to the second tank through the second re-circulation inlet when the second pressure relief valve opens; and 
 
 a hose having a first end fluidically coupled to the manifold and a second end fluidically coupled to an opening of the first tank of the fluid consuming asset, wherein the hose is operable to direct the fluid from the manifold to the first tank of the fluid consuming asset. 
 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the hose is disposed within a Kevlar sleeve. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the hose is a segmented hose having two or more segments. 
     
     
       20. The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the two or more segments are detachably coupled together.